Anyone feel like a good cry?

...read it and weep

There are many days when I wonder why I clutter your inbox with another column. This is one of them.

I just read

Phoebe Wall Howard

’s column this morning about a colleague in our Iowa Writers’ Collaborative group,

Douglas Burns

, and it so well-crafted, and tear-jerky, and compelling, and on and on and on, that a little voice inside of me thinks I should just hang it up. I feel that way a lot when I read other members of our terrific group.

If you don’t already subscribe, and want to have a collection of stories by others who share an interest in this state, by all means, here’s a link to do so: Sunday Roundup of Iowa Writers’ Collaborative members.

This column by Phoebe offers a masterclass in why she is a rock star reporter, covering the auto industry, which she did for The Detroit Free Press, and now as a part of our collaborative group of writers.

One might not think cars can evoke emotion. But, of course, when someone really listens to another person, the depth of feelings one has for an inanimate object, or an ideal, can be revealed.

If we shut up and let silence do the heavy lifting in a conversation, feelings and authentic conversations can happen.

Phoebe listens. That’s her super power.

Grab a Kleenex:

Putting miles on a 2013 Lincoln MKS saved his life

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Be Like Phoebe?

If you’d like to learn how to be a better writer from Phoebe and 50 other terrific resources, come to the Okoboji Writers’ and Songwriters’ Retreat! Save the dates: September 28-October 1, 2025.

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Road Trip = No Zoom call on Monday

Richard, Dudley and I are going on a road trip. I’ll be taking next Monday off from our Zoom call. I’ll be back with you on Monday, November 18 (speaker to be determined). And on November 25, I have a real score for you.

Consultant, psychologist, and author Dr. Gustavo Grodnitzky investigates corporate culture, emotional intelligence, anger management, and integrating multigenerational workforces. His recent book is entitled, Culture Trumps Everything: The Unexpected Truth about the Ways Environment Changes Biology, Psychology, and Behavior.

He is a highly regarded keynote resource on the Vistage speaker circuit, and I’m thrilled he will join us on November 15.

You must be a subscriber to join the call.

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Uh oh. The dreaded call to action

There is nothing like the Iowa Writers’ Collaborative. We are a group of 60 independent writers, who share one thing in common: an interest in this state, and you the reader.

We are not supported by advertising, grants, or other sources of income other than paid subscribers. If 10% of our readers are able to do so, it’s sustainable. We are as sick of money pitches as you are, but please understand that to sustain this model of providing content on this platform, we rely on those who are able to, to become paid subscribers.

As a thank you for doing so, there will be a holiday party for paid subscribers to be held on December 13 at the Harkin Institute on the campus of Drake University. You only need to be a paid subscriber to one of our members to be included in this real time gathering. There will be music, appetizers, a cash bar, and a chance to meet and mingle with our community of writers and readers.

We do need to have a head count, so please fill out this RSVP form: